Miss USA Nia Sanchez in NYC: Where she should visit

By AMNY.COMJune 16, 2014

Miss USA Nia Sanchez on Monday will fulfill her first wish as the pageant winner -- to take a sightseeing tour of New York City.

That's all well and good, but as all of us tried-and-true New Yorkers know, the tourist stops are not necessarily the best places to really enjoy NYC. Sanchez is scheduled to stop at Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Empire State Building, and Bryant Park.

Instead of Times Square ...

Go underground and check out the performers in the subway for a view into some of the coolest things happening in music. The giant maze that is the Times Square-42nd St.-Port Authority stop has colorful performances in every corner, but there are plenty of other stops to hear great things too. (Credit: Flickr / dehgenog)

At Rockefeller Center ...

Skip the crowds at Rockefeller Center, and instead go up to the Top of the Rock, the observation deck above 30 Rockefeller Plaza for one of the best views of the city's skyline. Visitors report shorter lines than at the Empire State Building, and there's always a chance you could get photobombed by Jimmy Fallon. (Credit: Flickr / n1ct4yl0r)

Instead of Madison Square Garden ...

Sure, Madison Square Garden hosts the Knicks and the Rangers ... but neither are in season right now and it's still too soon to revisit the painful Rangers loss. But the NYC is the place to watch the World Cup, and here's a list of places in every borough where you can check out the matches. (Credit: Getty Images / Andrew Burton)

At Radio City Music Hall ...

There really is very little to compare with Radio City Music Hall--especially when you consider all the hidden secrets of the 82-year-old venue. The Stage Door Tour can provide a look behind the scenes, and be sure to ask about the autograph books on display for special visitors. (Credit: Nina Ruggiero)

Instead of Bryant Park ...

Bryant Park is beautiful, but there are crowds at lunchtime...plus, the park will be opening up at 5 p.m. for the HBO Summer Film Series' first movie of the summer. Just scoot over to the historic Stephen A. Schwarzman building of the New York Public Library -- and the location of the office of Robert Caro, the author of "The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York." There are plenty of attractions at the Schwarzman building, including two current exhibitions: The ABC of It: Why Children's Books Matter and the Jill Kupin Rose Gallery. (Credit: Gabi Porter)

Instead of the Empire State Building ...

Sure, the Empire State Building is great, but venture out of Manhattan and end the day with a beautiful sunset in Astoria Park. A quick ride on the N/Q will get you there.

And next time you visit, give us a heads up and we'll make you an itinerary. There's so much to see outside of Midtown!